San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-07-14
IN THE
BRIGHT 81 RINGTIME.
IN THE

teOus manners and kindly smile. How had
he guessed her name?
"YOur mention Of your mother made me
surmse who you were," he explained, ''be-
cause Guy told me just now that he had"
The young man stopped short in some en-
barrassment
ale did not tell you she was very lip
Mabel questioned, with sudden eanestness,
not unmixed with fear.
"Oh, dear, nO-not at all! He spoke Of
her only as being great invalid"-''full of
fancies and crOtchets" had been Guy Heath
cote's words TO his friend-"he didn't say
anything more, upon MY word, Miss Lin
denp'
Mabel walked on treasured.
II am not acquainted with the ways Of
this place yet" she observed, after pause,
laughing; "and don't know if we shall
have TO fetch the medicine ourselves or II
Doctor Heathcote will send it,"
ale has an errand-bOy, | believe. Talk
ing of angels, here comes the Doctor! No
doubt he has the medicine in his pocket"
There was slight look of surprise on the
Doctors face as he came up.
Il am helping this lady to find out your
lone retreat, Guy" explained Mr.. Maybury,
laughing. I'VE have introduced ourselves
in due form; but perhaps you had better do
it again, to prove that l am not an impOstor."
Certainly" said Guy, as he laughingly
performed the ceremony; and Mabel and
the Squire exchanged very dcferential bows.
Then they all three walked back along the
fields.
"Oh, dear, how stupid! l have never
fetched the medicine, after all!'-and Miss
Linden stood still in CONSERVATION.
"Were you coming for it? 1t is pity you
took the trouble, for 1 would have sent it in
any circumstance; but, as it happened, had
to pass your house on my way 10 a patient,
and was about to leave it, said the Doctor,
showing the end of white wrapper in his
cOat-pocket
"Oh, how good of you! Shall take it?''
Certainly not. shall deliver it myself;
you might drop it. you know, and what
would Martha say?"-lOOking at her mis-
chievousy "Would you believe it, Regi-
nald? l found this young lady discussing
my personal defects with"
'Oh, please, Doctor Heathcote, don't tell
of my rudeness this mOrningW
In her eagerness Mabel laid her hand upon
his arm. Reginald Maybury saw the action,
and would have given a good deal of that he
possessed to change places with the Doctor.
"Well, l won't, since it was the means
of procuring me an introduction to Miss Lin
den'-with bow.
Now you are foolish" Mabel declared,
pouting her pretty lips and turning from him
to the Squire. "Mr. Maybury, Is this wood
yOursT"
"Yes. Why do you ask|'
because" sinuatingly-'wOn't you
please have something done with that gateP'
Certainly. Would You like it taken
away, or what?'
"a nice little gap in the hedge would be
an improvement" said Mabel, as they came
up to the obnoxious gate, and she again con-
templated climb.
81 don't think Farmer Gay would agree
with you, Miss Linden, when his sheep
profted by it to scatter themselves far and
wide over the country T. said Doctor Heath
cote, smiling.
The gate difficulty surmOunted, Reginald
Maybury took his leave, and walked home
wards, his mind full of new thoughts of the
future, which already he connected with
Mabel Linden. As the other two pursued
their walk down the pleasant lane, it seemed
fairer and sweeter to both than when they
had seen it last; and, when they parted,
both had the consciousness, as they stood to
say goodbye at the lite cottage gate, that
this afternoon had been one of the pleasant
est in their lives.
Mother, why don't you call on Mrs. Lin
DEM"
Mrs. Maybury and her son were together
in the large dining-rOOm at the Court. Des-
sert was on the table, and the servants had
retired. The question was put with start
ling abruptness, and for some moments Mrs.
Maybury's soft brown eyes were fixed with
establishment on the Squire.
Call on whOmP Really, Reggie, you
should not speak so abruptlyW
Mrs. Linden, who has lately taken Lime
Tree Cottage" said Reginald.
And who, may ask, is Mrs. Linden;
and why must | call on hcr"'
Mrs. Maybury's eyebrows were elevated
in calm inquiry. She was a handsome wo-
man, this mother of the Squire. Tall and
stately. with fair, pale face and soft brown
hair and eyes, she had all her sons good
looks without his dark, swarthy complexion.
She was stern and proud too; and woe to the
person who should cross her will! Her one
idea was to see her son bring home a wife
long rent-roll like his own.
Mrs. Linden is the widow of an Indian
officer who died at Calcutta, believe; she is
a lady-at least her daughter is-and Guy
says"
''Oh, there is a daughterP Mrs. May
bury's lips closed OminOusly.
"Yes-an awfully pretty girl. l ret her
to-day. They are here for the mothers
health. Heathcote is tending her. Do
call on them-there's a good mump
"HOw did you get to know the daughter~
"Guy introduced me. Why?'
Because must find out who the people
are before visit them"
Mrs. Linden won't visit any one in the
village, l hear; they don't know anybody"
That is in their favor, certainly; but
must try to learn something more about
them before l make any advances. l GER
tainly shall be glad to make her acquaint-
ance if she is lady. By-the-bye, Reggie"
rising from the table as she spOke-'I have
written to invite Isabel Darcy to spend
few weeks here; you must make yourself
agreeable"
"What borep' exclaimed the Squire, as
he opened the dining-rOOm door for his
mother to pass out ''These girls with
money give themselves such airs, one can't
get on with them at all. Why, Miss Darcy
and did nothing but quarrel the last time
she was herep'
"Never mind; you will be all the better
friends this time"
Mrs Maybury smiled atfectiOnately on her
son as she glided past him; and he, as soon
as the door had closed upon her, flung him
self into comfortable chair and gave him
self up to thoughts of Mabel Linden, whose
sweet face haunted him perpetually.